Disclosure of HIV status among patients new to HIV care in Southern Ethiopia: role of perceived social support and other factors

ABSTRACT

Reports from Sub-Saharan Africa, with a large HIV-infected population, vary widely in how often HIV status is disclosed to others, including spouses and other partners. We surveyed 1799 Ethiopian HIV patients newly enrolled in care within the previous 3 months at one of 32 local hospitals and health centers about disclosure of HIV status and two perceived social support domains: emotional/informational (EI) and tangible assistance (TA) support. Disclosure to another person was reported by 1389 (77%) persons. Disclosure rates to specific persons were: spouses or other partners = 74%; mothers = 24%; fathers = 16%; children = 26%; other family members = 37%; friends = 19%, and neighbors/other community members = 13%. Disclosure to another person was associated with higher social support scores on both EI and TA domains, marriage, and a longer time knowing HIV status. In multivariate adjusted models, disclosure to any person, as well as disclosure specifically to a spouse or partner, were associated with higher EI and higher TA social support scores. Provision of knowledgeable and emotionally supportive assistance can be an important factor in facilitating HIV disclosure. Helping persons with HIV decide who to disclose to and how to do so in the most positive manner is an essential component of HIV care and support.

KEYWORDS:

• HIV disclosure
• social support
• sub-Saharan Africa
• Ethiopia

Acknowledgement

Funding was provided by the National Institute of Mental Health, NIH grant 5R01MH105290. Ethiopian study coordinators were Anteneh Mengistu, Behailu Dagne, Engidaw Ayele, Hiwot Tekle, Simret Girma, Signe Tefera, Tesfaye Gemechu, Tsedey Ayele, Tewabe Tamiru, and Yayush Tesfaye. We thank Lindsey Fabian and Madelyn Tillemans from the University of Minnesota; Lucy Slater from the National Alliance of State and Territorial AIDS Directors Global Program; and the Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples’ Region Regional Health Bureau. We especially thank all people living with HIV for their generous participation in this study.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the National Institute of Mental Health [grant number 5R01MH105290].